Wow. I read that co washing can thin the hair if you don't thoroughly clean your scalp by starting out by vigorously massaging your scalp in the first wash. Then rinse that out the cleanse again with a slower scalp massage & rinse again. By doing this you keep the hair follicles stimulated. But if not, you can experience hair loss. I read this on live curly live free.

Originally Posted by curlicious13

Hi there. I think vigorous massaging may actually have been part of the problem. I was well aware that I had to massage vigorously in order to keep my scalp clean.

I've also been doing some research on waxing preparation. Though I've never waxed my (body) hair before, many sites suggest exfoliating and moisturizing before waxing.

"Softer hair follicles release hair more easily; to make your waxing experience both pleasant and productive try exfoliating and then moisturizing prior to the event. First, exfoliate the area you want to remove hair from, then smooth on some type of non-comedogenic (non-clogging) moisturizer to soften hair follicles and the surrounding skin."

SO, it seems to fit in with Hairscapade's theory. I did have A LOT of shedding during cowashing but I didn't really think anything of it. I stopped cowashing and started low-pooing, and on my third low-poo I already noticed a SIGNIFICANT reduction in shedding during cleansing.

So it's very possible that my follicles were softened too much, and then combined with my vigorous massages, it caused excess shedding thus thinning out my hair.